Please Visit...

Hi! I'm trying to consolidate and simplify things..It gets to be too much posting on two blogs so I thought I'd post on Typepad for now...I hope you come and visit me there! I really value everyone who visits this Blogger blog.. Please don't let the move mean this is goodbye!
love,
Christine mybellacolle.typepad.com

Loveliness of Patina

Patina: (pat'n-a) noun. 1. A fine crust or film on bronze or copper: it is usually green or greenish blue and is formed by natural oxidation; it is valued as being ornamental. 2. Any thin coating or color change resulting from age, as on the surface of old woodwork.

I patina-ed some larger collage charms I made many moons ago today... I love how they turned out! They have a wonderful quality of loved and aged treasures from long ago.

Some folks have the luxury of being able to buy brand new high end furniture and accessories.. but we don't here..But that's okay because being the sentimental fool I am, worn and loved is what I prize!

This charm says " Keep up appearances what every you do" and have a Victorian lady on the front.

These two are the backs of " He's tough ma'am tough" and "Has anyone seen my dog Totto?"

Here it is as a drawer pull on a loved dresser at the top of our stairs that holds our linens...

These larger charms are so much fun! They add whimsy and interest where ever they are...

Patina is so beautiful in my eyes.. I use estate silver everyday, and no it's not bright and shinny.. Things that have acquired this wonderful warm look always remind me of older relatives homes... a feeling of comfort and fun...

{Designers in Residence 2000}

Who is the 'Queen of Patina'? There is no one in my mind that embodies this sense of timeless elegance The.... Carol Hicks Bolton

You can find some of her wonderful creations at Homestead Hico

{Mary Engelbreit Nov. 1999}


Can't you just see these wonderful treasures coming from some wonderful estate somewhere? Aged and loved pieces have history... that what makes them such a wonder to me. Who owned this originally? Was this a wedding present? Things like that...

{Mary Engelbreit Nov. 1999}

And if you do find a treasure but it seems abit too new.... you can patina it your self with a bath of coffee... or there are patina acids that turn metal that wonderful color like what I used on my charms...

Patina... something lovely this Friday...

Have a wonderful weekend!

XO

Emotion of France

Here is my contribution to the 'les emotion de la France' book swap. Now... I just have to print out twenty four pages...glitterfy and send in!!

I just wanted to share real quick... #1 has an appointment in a couple of hours to take his drivers test to get his license! It's kinda weird how they do it here...we actually have to go to another city because there were no appointments available in the city we live. You have to make an appointment months in advance! I remember just walking in and takin' it.. gosh..that was a long time ago!lol!!

Anyway..wish us luck! I hope he passes..just for his sake.. it will give him some self confidence.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

XO

New Charm and found texture

Happy Monday... Busy weekend.. I have been painting and sprucing up to get the house ready to sell our selves... I just had to pause as I was packing some odds and ends away... with the wonderful textures around me.. I'm constantly looking for inspiration around me and I didn't even stop and realize I had inspiration right in my own bedroom... This is one of my bedside table lamps.. I smudged my self out of the reflection..but I just love the silver sheen these lamps have.. smooth and cool to the touch.. mini gazing balls.

This is a beautiful white rose wreath that hangs over our bed. Now with the chocolate froth walls and white trim..soft pristine folds right above our head...

Here is a antique picture that hangs on our door... simple.. the gilded frame adds a beautiful ridged trim...

Now to my favorite! I love birds nests... something about the intricate weave of the grass and fibers makes me feel all cozy.. Aren't the smooth eggs lovely? The colors are a wonderful tan and the faintest of blue... wonderful inspiration for my blog colors! I'll have to play around with that later. Let's see.. we have; smooth, soft, thread like.... lovely..

This is the inspiration for the Mothers Nest available in the Shoppe

Here is a new charm available there as well... Only one available...when it's gone it's gone..

Here is the front...

Have a great Monday!

What wonderful texture can be found in your world?

XO

A Birthday...

Well.. it's a birthday today! #1 turns 16!! Oh my...where did the time go? Just seems like yesterday he was born.... There are times I think teenagers have lost their minds..then he turns around and surprises me.. We had a wonderful dinner tonight...At his fave place "Old Chicago"..
When DH comes home from work we will have a party for this guy.. 16... hmm... he's going to go and take his drivers test for his licence this Wed... OH my... I love you #1!! I pray you have many more..
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Who's afraid of a little color?

{Designers in Residence 2000}
Who's afraid of a little Color ?
I must admit I am...a bit color shy when it comes to room colors...granted I have a dove gray bathroom..and a sage green hallway. But I've never been so carefree to add wonderful color. I stick to neutral backdrops...tan..white..lightest of pink, NEVER reds! or orange or yellow..

{Traditional Homes May 2008}
But, I think once we can sell this house we are in and move.. I will try some wonderful new color palettes!! Would you just look at the wonderful colors in this living room!! My scanner didn't truly pick up the colors like it should... that is chartreuse on the ceiling ladies and gentlemen! The chairs are pink with yellow piping..Aren't those curtain a wonderful splash of freshness?

{Traditional Home May 2008}

This wonderful settee is yellow and hot pink! These bright colors really do warm up the room. If you are color shy like I am, simple throw pillows would be a great 'baby step' to inject a room with a punch of color. Hmmm..I'm really digging the pinks!!

{Designers in Residence 2000}

Liven up a dinning room in red?!! Never in a million years would I put such a dramatic color on the walls..till now... color is wonder! It brightens the mood and can evoke wonderful feelings of comfort or excitement.

Why not try some color today?! Hmm..where is that hot pink spray paint?!lol....

Happy Wed. everyone.

XO

Life is a Song

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's day! I did... Wonderful family time and lots of good food! lol! Oh yes...and a new set of golf clubs too!

Here is my submission to Somerset's Black and White... Deadline is August 15th. This will be my second piece I've submitted... I hope this will be considered! Black and White can be a somber theme.. but

After painting the background and adding the sheet music... The thought for this collage all fell into place. Life is a song! Truly it is.. Sometimes it can be fast and furious like 'Flight of the Honey Bee' or a Broadway show tune like 'Your Neverfully Dressed without a Smile' ...or sometimes it can be like 'Taps' .

But it's your song! You can sing it loudly! Not all people like the same music, that's okay 'cause I think life gets pretty boring hearing the same song over and over...don't you?

I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I haven't been able to visit like I should...I will try and stop by soon!

XO

Friiiidaaay!!

YaaaY!!! It's Friday!! What a week...whew... and tomarrow is opening day for #2's little league season... Busy Busy... Just wanted to pop in and share a new blog banner I'm going to have for sale in my etsy store...
Oh yeah, two new sites I found! Lookin' for ephemera and images? Check these sites out...
DigitalCollageSheets and finchleypaperarts
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Nail update! It's been 3 days and they still look great!! I've cleaned..done dishes and fought with changing sheets and other laundry and they have stayed put!

15 min. manicure

Okay... we are going to do a little test here on the 'ole blog... Yes, that is MY hand there in the pictures.
I love wonderfully manicured nails. BUT some people like me take the time to paint them and with the way I use my hands as tools.. good luck on keeping a beautiful clean paint job.. then, there is my attention span.. I am so notorious for 'picking' at the paint and we all know that is an etiquette 'NO NO' . I've done the professional salon set and that gets to be so pricey! Not to mention #1 winds up wanting to strangle his brothers if he is left to baby sit for very long...AAAANND...those salon nails sometime turn out too thick and that gets on my nerves because I can never pick up things with my finger tips.. SOOOO...Enter Broadway Nails I found these babies at WalMart... I'm going to see if they are worth the 5$ I paid for them! Hence the test. The packaging says they are to last 10 days..we shall see my pretties!

Well, the application time took 15 minuets! Not bad. Ever done a home French Manicure? First you have to paint the tips..let that dry..then the rest...let that dry ... top coat! Truthfully, that's all it took me to put these on...15 min.

They actually look like my real nails! They are 'naturally' thin too! So, I will keep you guys posted and see if these nails actually last the 10+ days they say.

I didn't capture the name in the picture, but again... these are called Broadway Nails and I found them at WalMart.

Hope your week is 'rockin'

XO

I always knew I was a late bloomer! This is the first bloom of Spring...besides the Johnny Jump Ups..the first one. I'm sure the majority of you have already said good-bye to your Tulips and Daffodils... Not me... They are just starting to come up in the garden. Today was the second time this Spring that we had to mow the grass... I think 'It' is finally here...
Hurray for Spring!
XO

I gotta be me..

"I gotta be me"! Do you ever feel like singing that? I do...I created this collage today.. Uniqueness is a gift...Don't try and fit in the mold.. Squeeze your dreams in someone elses box..

Wear pink cowboy boots with rhinestones on 'em (gotta get me some of those)... feel like wearing pig tails and bright red nail polish? Go ahead!! Have fun... losen up...

" Today You are you, that is Truer than true. There is no one alive who is YoUeR than You.."~ Dr. Suess...

Have a great weekend!

Vintage inspired tags

Wonderful vintage inspired tags I just completed today... I really had a blast making them... tiny little collages special in it's own right... I think I hooked!

I created three sets. Two pink ones and one sepia one... lots and lots of glitter of course..

I want to put some in the store... what is a good set..3? 4?

I think they add a wonderful unique touch to gifts or letters...

See the wee bride and groom? These tags would be neat for up coming weddings! Well... hope your week is going well.. love to hear from ya!

XO

Snow?

Did I get your attention with the title? Yes..that's right ladies and gentlemen..we are having snow this morning...It's Spring..right?lol...
So..what do you do when the weather outside is frightful? Make cake!! Cupcakes that is... both collages are 4"inchesx5"inches. First collage is dreamy pink on on a wonderful Robin's egg blue background.

This one is a Robin's egg blue one on a pink background. Can you see the stitching I added to the second cupcakes paper? I stitched a little bit of hot pink thread on the paper to give it some depth. I think the stitching adds wonderful interest, I will be stitching some more in pieces to come.

I've joined a swap again... Les 'emotions de la France Book Swap ... Why do I do this to my self?!! Because it's good for me I guess... I'm such a shy violet that I probably wouldn't try and do anything and then wind up beating myself up for it... So.. this should be interesting. My theme for my page is Dance..or Twirl.. haven't decided yet.

Well...#3's teacher is having a birthday..he's so sweet, he wanted to make her a card. I think it turned out very nice if I do say so myself! lol.

I added one of my soldered charms for good measure! I just love children's art work! It really helps you see things from a wonderful innocent perspective.

Have a wonderful Monday..Hope the snow stops soon!

~ " All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." ~ Pablo Picasso.

XO

Somthin' for the Kitchen

Well, on this fine Friday Afternoon... Just wanted to share two amazing sites I have found... At our house we don't have cable or a 'dish' so the channels we watch are pretty limited.. We recently upgraded to a digital T.V and antenna! On Thursday nights here..on PBS..there are some wonderful cooking shows! ..Of course after CSI.. I have become addicted to JoanneWeir and America's Test Kitchen . On Joanne's show, she has a one on one cooking class with a lucky individual and they create some amazing mouth watering dishes. America's Test Kitchen takes recipes and breaks them down and figures out a better more tasty way to prepare it...they also show what products taste the best and work the best in the kitchen..last night it was fillet mignon and mixed drink shakers!

Soo..if you need some lovin' for your oven...a little 'spice' for your life!lol... Check out these two sites! Best of all..it's free!

Happy Friday!

~"I often put boiling water in the freezer. Then when I need boiling water, I simply defrost it..."~ Gracie Allen.

XO

Home

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body...
~Benjamin Franklin
Food for thought this Wed.